September 2025 PCG Article Discussion

[Zed Clampet]

To put my argument in hopefully better terms:

1) Microsoft is essentially trying to end game buying by getting everyone to sign up to Game Pass.
2) If that were to happen, the entire industry would collapse or have to retool and stop making AAA games (or any expensive games)
3) Microsoft's own studios are a microcosm of this problem.

**** Note that AI throws this whole thing into a tizzy, as it will allow AAA companies to fire most of their employees anyway, thus making the games vastly cheaper to produce, but also providing more competition from good solo devs who will now able to make AAA games. And if some AI companies accomplish what they are trying to accomplish, we'll all be able to make our own AAA games, which causes my head to hurt trying to think of the ramifications.

 

[Pifanjr]

To put my argument in hopefully better terms:

1) Microsoft is essentially trying to end game buying by getting everyone to sign up to Game Pass.
2) If that were to happen, the entire industry would collapse or have to retool and stop making AAA games (or any expensive games)
3) Microsoft's own studios are a microcosm of this problem.

Game Pass could've been a problem if they had actually managed to convert most consumers into subscribers, such that it would've taken Steam's spot as the main platform where people get their video games from. But the subscription cost isn't high enough to cover the cost of making enough games to keep subscribers, so Microsoft would've had to lose insane amounts of money just to undercut every other publishing studio until they had to close.

Basically, Microsoft tried what Walmart did by undercutting local stores, but Microsoft was going up against Steam. There was no way they were going to be able to convert enough consumers and hold out long enough to get rid of the competition.

**** Note that AI throws this whole thing into a tizzy, as it will allow AAA companies to fire most of their employees anyway, thus making the games vastly cheaper to produce, but also providing more competition from good solo devs who will now able to make AAA games. And if some AI companies accomplish what they are trying to accomplish, we'll all be able to make our own AAA games, which causes my head to hurt trying to think of the ramifications.

Doomscrolling is going to get absolutely insane the moment AI can generate content that can compete with human-made content. Platforms like Fortnite and Roblox already have a grip on children because they offer a basically endless supply of "free" content, AI is only going to make that so much worse.

 

[Zed Clampet]

Game Pass could've been a problem if they had actually managed to convert most consumers into subscribers, such that it would've taken Steam's spot as the main platform where people get their video games from. But the subscription cost isn't high enough to cover the cost of making enough games to keep subscribers, so Microsoft would've had to lose insane amounts of money just to undercut every other publishing studio until they had to close.

Basically, Microsoft tried what Walmart did by undercutting local stores, but Microsoft was going up against Steam. There was no way they were going to be able to convert enough consumers and hold out long enough to get rid of the competition.



Doomscrolling is going to get absolutely insane the moment AI can generate content that can compete with human-made content. Platforms like Fortnite and Roblox already have a grip on children because they offer a basically endless supply of "free" content, AI is only going to make that so much worse.

I'm sure they are going to charge per game made when you are making them yourself. The good news is that AI has an open source philosophy, so you'll probably be able to get a free version on GitHub that is just as good as paid versions. Imagine installing something on github and saying, I want a roguelike deckbuilder autobattler with x, y and z, and the actually getting one. Of course, it will take your computer god knows how long to generate that sort of thing. I'll have to buy the RTX 7090 Super for $10,000 that needs a 5000 watt power source (at least, that seems to be the direction Nvidia is headed).

 

[Zed Clampet]

Maybe release a game in May sometimes? 'Fixation on the holiday window' is hurting game publishers, says industry analyst Newzoo

The clustering of big game releases late in the year is causing "avoidable cannibalization," according to a new report.

www.pcgamer.com

Stop releasing all the games in the fall.

Also,

According to the company, 2025 will see the global PC player base rise 3.1% year-on-year to 936 million players, driven in part by Steam adoption in China and Japan. Newzoo also says that Gen Alpha (defined as people born in 2010 or later) is "an increasing share of the player base, especially on PC.

Go Gen Alpha!

 

[Zed Clampet]

Former MS engineer Dave Plummer admits he accidentally coded Pinball to run 'at like, 5,000 frames per second' on Windows NT

One whole core for pinball duties.

www.pcgamer.com

Random article about Space Cadet Pinball which used to come installed in Windows. I can't even begin to tell you how many hours I put on that in Hotel rooms back in the day.

If anyone wants the game, it's free in the Windows Store. For some reason it is called Pinball Star now.

 

[Zed Clampet]

Gabe Newell waxes poetic about his love for the Dota 2 community in a special message for The International: 'People talk s**t at me in chat' and tell him to uninstall the game on a weekly basis

But he loves 'em anyway.

www.pcgamer.com

People call Gabe Newall a noob and tell him to uninstall the game. I'm don't think Elon Musk would admit that.

 

[BeardyHat]

Go Gen Alpha!

Both mine are on PCs. Granted, they don't do a ton of interaction with the OS, but my almost 8 year old is beginning to learn. He knows how to go in and out of Airplane mode, so they can both play games on Steam at the same time.

I'm teaching him how to Alt-Tab to do different things, basic troubleshooting, etc. Hoping they both pick it up and it gives them a little leg up over their peers who are often just using tablets and Chromebooks.

 

[Frindis]

Crazy month!

September becomes an even more ridiculous month for releases as Hades 2 announces it's dropping in 2 weeks

So finish up Silksong, is what I'm saying.

www.pcgamer.com

 

[Zloth]

Saints Row 2's Juiced Patch makes the PC port so much better it's criminal

Drive it like you stole it.

www.pcgamer.com

Wait, what? How are they adding the missing DLC when it isn't on PC??

 

[Zed Clampet]

Saints Row 2's Juiced Patch makes the PC port so much better it's criminal

Drive it like you stole it.

www.pcgamer.com

Wait, what? How are they adding the missing DLC when it isn't on PC??

The way "they" do everything. They just start doing it and see if anyone stops them.

 

[Zed Clampet]

'Borderlands 4 is a premium game made for premium gamers' is Randy Pitchford's tone deaf retort to the performance backlash: 'If you're trying to drive a monster truck with a leaf blower's motor, you're going to be disappointed'

I'm not entirely sure this helps.

www.pcgamer.com

I previously expressed concerns that some publishers/developers would skip PC optimization and rely on frame-gen and other Nvidia tricks to run their games at acceptable framerates. I think this is the first essentially verified example of this.

 

[neogunhero]

The only good Postal game is a spinoff expressionist boomer shooter that takes place entirely in the protagonist's depraved mind

Postal: Brain Damaged succeeds by using the series' scattershot satire as a basis to build great levels.

www.pcgamer.com

Listen, Postal 2 is not everyone's jam. I get it. The comedy doesn't sit well with some people, the gore and blood is crass, the satire may not be all that funny... but you cannot deny how influential this game is and it's massive cult following. The whole article, the author is just bashing Postal 2 like games journalists all did when it first came out in 2003. However, in the two decades since it's come out, Postal 2 has become a prime, shining example of what makes PC gaming so amazing. The constant dedication to updating the game, bringing it to modern hardware, adding new content over the span of two decades, the speed-running community that surrounds it is home to some of the most technically impressive runs and players in all of speedrun history, everything about Postal 2 exudes PC gaming greatness. For an author to be writing on PC Gamer and not acknowledge this, instead confusing opinion for fact and bashing the game for it's 2000s Attitude Era comedy style, is kind of embarrassing honestly.

I will forever be a staunch supporter of Postal 2. It's not for everyone, but at the very least you should acknowledge how and why so many people love the game. 97% positive reviews out of nearly 40,000 total can't lie.

 

[Zed Clampet]

Zed's Moment of Moron Awareness​

I just realized that I'll happily buy thousands of dollars worth of games each year, but still classify games that cost more than $30 as too expensive.

 

[Johnway]

Mad-lad fans have revived The Crew after Ubisoft killed it: 'No one will ever be able to take this away from you now'

The Crew Unlimited is out today.

www.pcgamer.com

once again proof that what gamers are asking for isn't unreasonable and absolutely viable . Plus this was done WITHOUT the help from ubisoft. Think of what could be accomplished if we had the tools or just had a proper Sunsetting plan in place.

might not be possible for some games currently, but certainly no excuses why it can't be implemented in the future. may SKG initiative give gamers what they want. This is absolute proof to the EU that whatever the AAA(A) and developers are saying that it isn't possible, viable or affordable are just a pack of lies. its just their bloody lazyness and avarice that prevents it from happening.